Ranker's Return

[Armor of a knight who didn’t break his allegiance to his master even until death.

Rating: Unique

Restrictions: 1,500 strength, 1,000 physique.

Durability: 3,700/3,700

Defense: 2,800

Effect: All stats + 650, ‘Oath of Allegiance’ can be used.

Oath of Allegiance: Swear allegiance to one person. Once you are in the same space as the target of the Oath of Allegiance, ‘Price of Allegiance’ is activated.

Price of Allegiance: Defense is increased by 35%.]

‘This is completely... for tanking?’

This was the thought that came to Hyeonu’s mind the moment he saw the item information. It was exclusive for tankers. No more and no less. It was just an item worthy to be used by tankers. In particular, it was a desirable item in a party with prominent attack power.

-It is durable.

-One of these will be worth three or four rare items.

-I think it is more than that? The skill effect is good as well.

-I think the armor length is short, so I don’t think it will be uncomfortable to wear. The design is fine.

The viewers were also very interested in the armor.

First of all, the fact that it was a unique item was sufficient to attract attention. Additionally, the effects of the armor were excellent. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the defense was the best among items of a similar level, and the attached skill was also good.

“It is armor with a very distinct identity. It is also a good item for melee classes who act as tankers in a party.”

Hyeonu talked about something that everyone knew. However, Hyeonu’s next words weren’t something that anyone could say. “This armor... I’ll make it the prize for next week’s event. Let me say it again. There is only one prize for next week’s event: The Oath of Eternal Allegiance.”

It was a shocking remark and something no one expected.

A unique item—he put up high level equipment that even rankers would covet as an event prize.

Gang Junggu blinked when he heard Hyeonu’s words. He grabbed Hyeonu’s shoulder and asked again and again, “Really? Are you really going to give it away?”

“As expected of my brother. The distribution is different.”

Kim Seokjung was laughing out loud like he was enjoying the situation.

-He is really giving it? Can we get a unique item just by making a comment and clicking the like button?

-Isn’t this a better lottery than the super bowl?

-A winner will unconditionally come out. There is no carry over. The odds are similar. I’m sure this one is better.

-Is it something like I don’t even need items like this? It is completely crazy.

The viewers responded with several times more disbelief than Gang Junggu. It was natural. The value of unique items increased every day. The lower the level and the higher the stats limit, the more expensive it became. The supply was always scarce.

In the first place, unique items that could be used by rankers didn’t even appear in the integrated auction house. It was because they were busy using it among themselves. In the end, it was the same as saying that Hyeonu didn’t know the value of the item. It was a unique item of a level that hadn’t been for sale yet. It was clear that it was worth it.

“It is just that the event this time is a bit different. The value of the product has changed, so it will be difficult to give it with just comments and likes as before. Instead, the viewers will have to prove their eagerness to win it.”

Hyeonu had no intention of simply giving it away this time. It was because this unique item was precious even for Hyeonu.

‘This is of no use to me, but...’

Of course, this white bone armor had no value as an item for Hyeonu. There wasn’t a single item that was worse among the ones that Hyeonu wore. It was just a gift or item that could be turned into gold.

-What is the method?

-I am ready to do anything. Give me a unique item...

-If I get that one, I can spend this summer in a cool manner.

-Is it only cool in summer? The next winter will be warm.

The viewers waited for Hyeonu’s next words. How would he give out the unique rated item? They wanted an explanation for it.

“It isn’t very difficult. It is possible with your willpower,” Hyeonu said with a smile.

It really wasn’t difficult, but it wasn’t something that could be obtained simply by luck. It took a certain amount of skill.

‘It is a unique item, so I can’t just give it to anyone.’

It was a method that he came up with on the spot, but Hyeonu was satisfied enough. He thought this was enough to make up the value of a unique item.

“It is easy. If you want to gain this Oath of Eternal Allegiance a week from today, you must promote ‘Alley Leader’ or my A-World channel.”

The method that Hyeonu suggested was marketing. The product was Hyeonu himself.

“Any method is fine. You can upload a video about me to A-World or post about me in the community. You can also post it on social media to get people’s shares and likes. I will give this unique item to the person who has the highest performance.”

-Wow... These are unexpected things to say.

-I don’t have the conscience to take this item with just a single comment.

-To be honest, he can do this with a unique item.

-Hurry and make a video. After five years of community life, one mad movie isn’t difficult.

The viewers were surprised by Hyeonu’s words but they didn’t show much rejection. It was because the value of the item was so great that it didn’t feel like a big problem no matter what conditions were put on it.

-Then what about manipulation of this?

-Right, it can be manipulated, right?

-What if people like it or spread it with ghost accounts?

-There is that type of thing.

Some viewers were worried about the dark tricks that others would do. There would obviously be cases of this. It would be advantageous if a unique item could be obtained through such a trick.

“Such an unsavory method will be filtered out on Nike’s side. You don’t have to worry too much. Additionally... I’m not stupid either. I won’t give a precious unique item for nonsense content.”

Hyeonu saw the words of the viewers and nodded. Hyeonu had also guessed this. Some people would definitely do what they were told not to do. He had no intention of giving the unique item to such idiots.

‘They wouldn’t do such a terrible thing if they had the ability in the first place.’

It was obvious the results they would produce would be ridiculous. It was enough to use this as an excuse to exclude them from being candidates. There were many people who supported Hyeonu’s choice.

-That’s right, our Alley Leader is that discerning.

-He has such discerning eyes.

-He even has a distribution method for unique items.

-Yes, that’s right.

‘Shit... they aren’t reliable.’

Hyeonu shook his head with a strange smile.

***

Hyeonu opened the door of the office, entered, and quickly approached the man sitting at the desk.

“Is what I heard true? Really?”

Hyeonu stared at the man in front of him like he was going to eat him. To be precise, it wasn’t exactly at the man. It was a look that seemed to be aimed at someone else.

The man sitting at the desk, Kang Ujong, replied with a hesitant face, “That’s right, we lost the scrimmages against the other teams. We didn’t win a single game. The content wasn’t bad.”

“You don’t have to take the kids’ side. Supervisor-nim, don’t you know? The results matter.”

Hyeonu shook his head. A scrimmage was the basics. Even if they performed well in the scrimmage, there were causes where it was actually useless.

“This is a scrimmage, a scrimmage. It is called practice. In any case, it is better to break down and start over than to win.”

Kang Ujong’s thoughts were different. The scrimmages that were being held now were practice. It was a process of preparing for the season. There was still time. They were likely to get better if they took advantage of this time.

“If you can’t win now, then can you win later?”

Hyeonu smiled brightly. It was an expression that didn’t match the words he was saying.

“So from now on, we have to win. I think the time has come for our Coach Gang to use his strength.”

Kang Ujong approached Hyeonu and pretended to pat Hyeonu’s shoulder. Both of them were playful like it was a lie that they lost the scrimmage.

“Isn’t it time for feedback? It will be a very bitter time.”

Hyeonu smiled again. Now that the scrimmage was over, all that was left was for Hyeonu to give feedback to the Crescent Moon players. He would give compliments to those who did well, and a sharp tongue for those who didn’t do well. They would all be held accountable for the defeat and would have a harder time during practice.

“Yes, it is time.”

Kang Ujong smiled and nodded.

‘Good, good.’

Kang Ujong’s supervisor work was comfortable. It was more comfortable than when he was a supervisor at JT Telecom. There was no pressure about results. The current performance wasn’t good, but it was ridiculously good compared to when JT Telecom was launched. It was a result that would go up in time.

‘The scrimmage opponents are teams that appeared in Arena Week, so it was a loss...’

The reason why Kang Ujong was so certain was due to the scrimmage opponents. The members of Crescent Moon looked gorgeous even if they came in last in the scrimmage. It was a scrimmage made up of only the teams that made it to Arena Week, excluding JT Telecom. It was natural that Crescent Moon would have a hard time getting good results.

‘Even in the present state, we can still compete.’

In the present state, there was the potential to dominate the domestic league.

“Coach Gang is here, so we are strong. Even if I don’t do anything, the two coaches get along well and deal with the players...”

There was no pressure on the performance. Hyeonu in front of him squeezed the players using the typical whip and carrot tactic while Jeong Byeongjin comforted them.

“What am I doing? It is just hitting the kids.”

The thing Hyeonu did as a coach was really insignificant. He hit them again and again during sparring. Additionally, he tormented the magicians and priests in the name of learning strategies for a siege. There was even a saying between Jeong Byeongjin and Kang Ujong that Hyeonu used the players as a means to relieve his stress.

“Is that a normal ability? Training like this is something that no other team in the world can do,” Kang Ujong praised Hyeonu.

‘Why is it so burdensome today?’

However, Kang Ujong’s appearance came as a heavy burden to Hyeonu. It wasn’t that Kang Ujong’s words were wrong, but it was different from usual.

‘Is there anything else for me to do?’

“What is going on, Supervisor-nim?”

Hyeonu looked at Kang Ujong with bleary eyes.

“Nothing? There is nothing like that?” Kang Ujong answered with a playful expression as usual. At the same time, Kang Ujong turned around and started to leave the office.

“By the way, where did you do the scrimmage? I only heard the results, not who you faced,” Hyeonu asked toward the back of the head of Kang Ujong, who was leaving the office.

“Isn’t it a secret? It is originally a secret scrimmage. I also don’t know.”

Kang Ujong waved his hand and left the office.

“I should be the one going. Why is he going?”

The office where Hyeonu was standing—it was the office of Crescent Moon’s supervisor.